Joanna Cole ​

Joanna Cole was an American author of children's books, best known for the Magic School Bus series which has been adapted into several television series. Her work often blended education with humor in order to engage young readers.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for her children's book series: The Magic School Bus.
• Over 93 million copies of her books have been sold in 13 countries.
• Her books have been adapted into a television series by the same name.
• She won numerous awards, including an Emmy for the animated TV series based on her books.
• Her work has been translated into multiple languages.

Background ​

Cole was born in 1944 in Newark, New Jersey. She grew up in East Orange, New Jersey and her family later moved to New York City. Cole attended Rutgers University where she studied literature and psychology. She spent over 30 years working in children's publishing as an author, editor, and an expert in children's literature. Cole is best known for her Magic School Bus series which combines fun stories with solid scientific information that educates children in an entertaining way. She also wrote many other picture books, including 'The Clown Arounds Go On Vacation', and 'Cockroaches: An Early Identification Manual'. Cole passed away in 2020 at the age of 75.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Cole's writing style is informative, engaging, and often humorous. Her work is widely lauded for its ability to explain complex scientific concepts in ways that are accessible to children. Through her "Magic School Bus" series, she has made science entertaining and relatable, and has had a significant impact on children's literature. Unafraid to tackle difficult or taboo topics, her work has helped to demystify and normalize aspects of life and learning that are often difficult for children to understand.

Notable Works ​

• The Magic School Bus series (1985-2020)
• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks (1986)
• The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System (1992)
• The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor (1994)
• The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses (1999)